The Arab-Israeli conflict……today. V.

Geography. Israel is a small but developed country on land to the East of the Mediterranean sea. It has its own religion –Judaism- and is a recently formed country It is surrounded by Muslim (Arabic) countries on three sides-Egypt, Lebanon, Palestine, Jordan, and Syria. It has a powerful friend in the USA. The land itself is fertile –if you have water. There are major cities- Jerusalem, Haifa, Tel Aviv. The land has a long history of war and bloodshed.

Jerusalem- the main city. Jerusalem is an ancient city that has been fought over for thousands of years. This is partly because it is a place of fundamental religious importance for Christians, Muslims and Jews. Each group is highly suspicious of the other. Conflict has been violent and each group lives uneasily guarding its own space. Jerusalem is also a modern city and an economic centre of Israel. Whoever controls Jerusalem controls the region.

Israel-coast With enormous investment Israel has become very prosperous. The coastline has fabulous hotels and a super climate. Once desert land now features luxurious golf courses.

Israel-cities. The Jewish people have been very industrious. They have built up large modern cities with efficient infrastructures. At the same time they have not neglected their traditions however. They see these as major reasons why they have survived as a people.

Israel-the countryside. The land itself has been a cradle of human civilisation. It formed the western end of the ‘fertile crescent’ that stretched from Persia to the Mediterranean. Water is the key element here. If you have a well then your land will produce wonderful crops. Otherwise it will be desert.

Israel-the people. Because of its location, and long history, Israel has a large mixture of peoples. They are different faiths, appearance, skin colour etc etc.

So what is the problem? The land called ‘Israel’ is also a land called ‘Palestine’. 60 years ago the land was under British protection. The British had occupied it after the First World war. The local people of this land were Muslim Arabs. They were called Palestinians because the land was called ‘Palestine’. After World War Two Jewish people were escaping from a shattered Europe. Many owned nothing and had stepped straight out from Hitler’s death camps. Using their memory of tradition they sought refuge in the land of their ancestors- Judea. Judea (where the word ‘Jew’ comes from) was also the name of the land known as Palestine. Jewish people started to migrate to Palestine (Judea) in large numbers. The British were unable to stop them. The Jews pushed the Palestinian Arabs to the east and claimed Palestine as their own territory by religious right. They were merely coming home. They renamed it ‘Israel’. The Palestinian arabs fought back, however, to keep their property. Against so many people however they were forced back. They turned to their Muslim neighbours for help and assistance. This time the Jews (Israelis) were outnumbered. The Israelis turned to anyone who might help them- and found the USA willing to support a struggling nation. The two sides were now set up for war- and have been sparring ever since. On one side is a well-equipped, modern, conventional Israeli army. On the other side is a modern, not so well-equipped but innovative Muslim terrorist army ‘Hamas’. Both sides are ruthless. The fight claims military and civilian deaths regularly on both sides.

Hamas-the Arabic Palestinian terror army or Palestinian freedom fighters?

Familiar terror uniforms. If someone had stolen your home wouldn’t you fight back?

Bus bombers and sniper These people are in disguise so that they, and their families, won’t be targeted by Israeli security forces.

Children as terrorists? Propaganda is rife from both sides. Are children really being used as terrorists?- or is this Israel trying to make the Palestinians look immoral? What do you think of this?

Women,and child, in support.

Muslim woman terrorist/freedom fighter. This person was a doctor. She decided she had to fight- and consequently die- for Palestine.

Bus bombers The idea is to blow up buses- and themselves- and disrupt Israel’s infrastucture. It attracts international attention to the Palestinian/Israeli problem.

The results-notice the bodies.

Another bus bomb- note the body.

US President George W.Bush. He is shown here as a puppeteer- controlling the Israeli prime Minister. The title shows the belief that Israel’s money comes from the USA.

The Israeli army. -returning violence for the terrorist violence…..

The army has bigger weapons of course.

Even going to school can be dangerous for children on both sides.

-frightened soldiers aren’t inclined to be kind and gentle.

This boy has wet himself he is so terrified. Soldiers have been known to break arms and legs to show their authority.

Soldiers are even fearful of children. What has the child got in the bags? Is he a terrorist?

But here is a child killed in the fighting. Does it matter if he is Jew or Muslim?

Jewish crowds taunting a Muslim woman.

Here is one possible solution to the problem……. A wall.

The wall dividing Palestinian Arabs from Jews.

Is this a good solution do you think?

Are humans so unbending that we have to do this to the world?

Perhaps you can think of another solution to this conflict? Before you do, consider why this conflict exists in more detail. Examine causes and consequences. Look at sources and evidence. Where does truth lie. Who is right? What can be done? Over to you….